UC Santa Cruz

The United States is among the richest countries in the world yet one of the most unequal in terms of income and wealth inequality. Among its many negative consequences, economic inequality may contribute to heightened political polarization and decreased support for democracy. Understanding these relationships, as well as the beliefs that legitimize economic inequality, is crucial to addressing concerns about declining support for democratic governments. For example, economic system justification (ESJ), social dominance orientation (SDO), and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) may contribute to the acceptance of economic inequality and, in turn, greater political polarization and anti-democratic attitudes.

To examine relationships among economic inequality, political polarization, and anti-democratic attitudes, two studies with national U.S. samples of Republicans and Democrats were conducted. Study 1 investigated whether perceived economic inequality and political polarization predicted anti-democratic attitudes and examined political group similarities and differences in perceptions of economic inequality and political polarization. Study 1 included 168 (83 Republicans and 85 Democrats) participants. Consistent with expectations, Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to perceive the current rate of income inequality as being lower than it is, prefer higher rates of income inequality, and oppose taxing the wealthy. Although members of both parties were expected to express similar levels of polarization, Democrats were more politically polarized than Republicans. Importantly, perceived economic inequality and political polarization were found to be significant predictors of anti-democratic attitudes.

Building on Study 1, Study 2 further assessed these relationships as well as the role of system-justifying ideologies (i.e., ESJ, SDO, RWA, and perceptions of economic mobility) in mediating the relationship between perceived economic inequality, political polarization, and attitudes toward democracy. Study 2 included 195 participants (96 Republicans and 99 Democrats). Consistent with Study 1 findings, Republicans were more likely than Democrats to perceive lower rates of income inequality, prefer higher rates of income inequality, and oppose taxing the wealthy. Again, Democrats were more politically polarized than Republicans. SDO mediated the relationship between perceived economic inequality and anti-democratic attitudes.

Collectively, both studies document the damaging impact of high rates of economic inequality and political polarization on attitudes toward democracy and illuminate the mediating relationship of legitimizing beliefs, notably SDO. These findings make clear that strategies and interventions to bolster support for democracy must consider interconnections among economic inequality, political polarization, and belief systems. Further research is needed to assess the impact of legitimizing beliefs beyond SDO in mediating relationships between economic inequality, political polarization, and anti-democratic attitudes.